Filament tape machine and method



March 26, 1957 F.'W. HUMPHNER 2,786,510

FILAMENT TAPE MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Sept. '7, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEXS.

March 26, 1957 F. w. HUMPHNER 42,786,510

FILAMENT TAPE MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Sept. '7, 1954 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,2396 ,fgy

IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

F. W. HUMPHNER FILAMENT TAPE MACHINE AND METHOD March 26, 1957 4 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. '7, 19 54 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

March 26, 1957 F. w. HUMPHNER 2,786,510

FILAMENT TAPE MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Sept. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 k $WNTOR.

mA/wn- 7M ATTORNEYS United States Patsfl o,

FILAMENT TAPE MACHINE AND ME T IOD Application September 7, 1954, Serial No. 454,333

19 Claims. (Cl. 154-1.7)

This invention relates to a filament tape machine and method, and more particularly to a machine for the forming of tape to which a tear filament is attached, and to the method of fiorming the same.

The present application constitutes a continuation-i117 part of my copending application, Serial No. 399,997, for Tear-Tape Dispensing Machine and Method now abandoned.

An object of the present invention-is to provide a means and method for the forming of spaced tabs in tape, the tabs being pressed rearwardly and securing to the tape the filament which may be exposed over a substantial area by the tearing of the tab. A further object is to provide new and eitective means for the rapid forming of tabs, bending the same, and fixing the tabs in a predetermined angular position while at the same time uniting with the tape a draw filament, or the like. A still further object is to provide a base for a tape-dispensing machine, the base being provided with means for feeding tape therethrough while forming tabs therein and uniting a draw filament to the tape while at the same time feeding the tape upwardly into a tape-dispensing means whereby the combined tape and filament may be discharged and applied to cartons and to other surfaces. Yet another object is to provide a method fior uniting cord and tape While providing tabs extending in a predetermined angular relation from the tape for purposes which will be hereinafter set out. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is shown, in an illustrative embodiment, by the accompanying drawings, in which:

' Figure l is a side view in elevation of apparatus em- 7 bodying my invention and showing means by which my new method may be practiced; Fig. 2, a diagram view in side elevation showing the main features of the improved apparatus; Fig. 3, a perspective view showing the means which are preferably employed in the forming of the tab within the tape; Fig. 4, a broken, sectional view, showing in detail the means employed for the angular fixing of the tab; Fig. 5, a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the tab being pressed rearwardly; Figg6,

a perspective view of the 'stru-ctureshown'in- Pig. '4'fursectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line9-9 of Fig.'8;..Fig.'.1-'O, a top plan view of the finfished tape showing the tab bent rearward'ly' to expose the tape; Fig. 11', a perspectiveview of a structure which may be used with the tape dispenser for the applying of tapetoa carton or box; Fig. 12, an'en-d' view of themodified form of filament-applying machine shown in- Fig.

11;'Fig. 13, a perspective. view of the, tab-ejecting means .and tab-tumback m chanism emp ed in @smtfilfi k :tion shown in Fig. :12; Fig. 1-4, averticalsec onal v w of: thest-mcture shown in li falgtop 2,786,510 eten s Mar-2&

view of the structure shown'in Fig, 12, a part of the ma- I chine being broken away and shown in section; and Fig. 16, a side elevational view of the modification illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15.

In the illustration given in Figs. 1-10, inclusive, A designates a tape dispenser and B a case .for the forming of the tab and filament-equipped tape which is fed to the tape dispenser.

The tape dispenser A may be of any type or construction, and no claim herein is made to the specific form of the tape dispenser. The tape dispenser may be mounted directly upon the case of structure B, or, if desired, a counter 10 may be interposed, as shown in Fig. 1, so that only the tape dispenser appears upon the top of the counter, the entire work of forming the tab and filamentequipped tape being carried on within the case or apparatus B disposed below the counter. As above stated, under certain circumstances it may be desirable to have the case 8 provide the support for the tape dispenser A, and the two units may be joined together in a single framework or unit.

The tape dispenser A is so arranged as to receive the finished tape from the case B therebelow and to dispense the same in the usualmanner, the tape being moistened and the tape being cut ofi' at the desired points as the tape is dispensed. Since the structure A is old and well known, a further detailed description is herein believed unnecessary.

Apparatus B comprises a case or frame 11, which may be of any suitable type or sL u-cture. At the rear of the case '11 is mounted a tape support 12 with arms which support a roll of tape 13,. It will be understood that the tape holder may be equipped with spring tension means for the desired feeding of the tape forwardly, being pro: vidcd with spring tension washers or the, like for maintaining the desired friction upon the roll of tape 13..

v The tape 13, as shown best in Fig, 2, is fed forwardly over the rollers 14-! and 15 and then downwardly over the ta'b forming drum 16. The drum 16 is mounted upon shaft 17, and is equipped on opposite sides with knives-or cutters 18, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 3. In order to effect an accurate cleavage of the tape in the tab-forrning operation, I provide a guide bar 19 having therein a notched opening 250, as shown best in Pig. 3. It be observed that the die opening 20 receives rather snugly the cutter 13 so that the tape is .cut evenly by the joint pressure between the drum and the bar 19 which press the paper firmly against the edges of the cutter 18. After leaving the cutter drum 1'), the tape, with the tab 21 formed therein, approaches a support block 22. which is shown in detail in Figs. 4,, 5 and 6. The block 22 preferably hasa rounded forward edge and is recessed at its top to receive a spring member 24 having an upwardly-extending finger 25. The spring is preferably provided with laterally-extending ears 25 which are" secured to the bloc'lc 22 by screws 27' or other suitable means. The spring finger 25 normal y is pressed downwardiy by the tape 13 toward the block 22, but when a tab 21 becomes aligned with the finger 25, the finger presses the tab 21 upwardly, as shown best in Fig. 4. As the .tab 21, after being pressed upwardly, is adyanced', it meets a pair of spaced rods 28 and 23, shown best in Fig, 5, and the upper rod 28 presses the tabrearwahdly against the top ct tape 13', as sh own more clearly in Fig. 5. As the vtape advances, the guide roller 31? further tends to iron the tab 21 toward a positionin which ,the'back of the tab meets the top surface of the tape 13.

I now wish to describe the combining of the filament with the'tab subsequent to the bending of the tab back wardly, as above. described. A filament 31 extends from atoll 32 car isdcs aria by e suppctt nss ms is advanced through a mdistener device 34, as shown comprises a lower vessel 35, which may be filled with water or other liquid and is provided with aligned apertures 36 through which the filament 31 may pass. Wire guides 37 are provided at each end of the container 35. A closure 38 is provided with depending spaced walls 39 for receiving felt wicks 40 or other suitable moistening devices, and wick portions 41 also extend between apertured partitions 42 in the case 35 therebelow. With this structure, the filament 31 passes between or through the felt wicks and receives a thorough application of moisture therefrom. It will be understood that any suitable means for thoroughly moistening the filament may be employed.

The filament may consist of string, fabric tape, plastic tape, and any other suitable material which will retain moisture or any attaching material which will enable it to be adhered to the bottom portion of the tape. It will be understood that a solvent for the adhesive employed on the tape may be used, and, if desired, a special adhesive may be applied by the means shown to the filament for anchoring it to the bottom of the tape. The filament 31, after leaving the impregnator device 34, joins the tape 13 at the idler roller 43, as shown best in Fig. 2. Since the tab 21 is bent rearwardly, the adhesive on the underside of the tab is not engaged by the filament and the tab thus remains unattached to the filament. The filament is so guided as to be centered within the tape 13 and directly below the tab 21. The combined tab and filament then pass about the large roll 44 mounted on shaft 45 and thence about guide roller 46. From the guide roller 46, the tape passes directly upwardly into the tape dispenser A, as shown best in Fig. 1.

The finished product, as shown in Fig. 5, comprises a tape strip 13 having a filament 31 anchored to the bottom thereof and at spaced intervals a tab 21, which is bent backwardly upon itself so as to expose the dry, un moistened adhesive 47 in an upward direction, as indicated best in Fig. 10. In describing the adhesive which is employed, it will be understood that the tape 13, as it is fed to the machine, may be equipped at its bottom with dry, unmoistened adhesive 47 of any suitable type, or, if desired, other forms of adhesive may be employed.

In the modified form of structure illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive, 5t) designates a modified form of filament-applying mechanism in which the filament is united with tape and dispensed therefrom. Above the machine 50 extends a standard 51 rotatably supporting on the shaft 52 a roller 53, the roller 53 extending at an angle so as to cause the filament-equipped tape 54 to turn at right angles so as to be delivered against the guide roller 55 and the moistener pad 56, the tape being carried forwardly and applied to the carton 57 supported upon the rotatable table 58, whereby upon the rotation of table 58, the moistened tape 54, equipped with the filament, will be applied to the overlapping or abutting flap portions of the carton to secure the same. In the structure illustrated, 59 designates a support for the moistening device and guide roller 55 and for the water fount 60.

In Figs. 12 to 16, inclusive, a detailed showing of the filament-applying mechanism is set out. In this structure, I provide laterally-extending base portions 61 and 62 which are firmly fixed to and support a vertically-extending wall 63. The wall 63 carries on one :side a fountain 64 which communicates through pipe 65 with a wickequipped moistening device 66 similar to the moistener device already described in detail in connection with'the structure shown in Figs. l-lO, inclusive, but having an adjustable guide 66a intermediate the ends of the device and that serves the same function as the wire guides 37 heretofore described. A filament or ribbon 67 leaves a roll carried by the spindle 68 and extends through the moistener device 66 to a point where it meets the tape, as will be later described. Tape 69 leaves a roll which may be supported as described already in connection with Figs. 1-10, inclusive, and passes upwardly over roller 70 and thence down through the guide 71 into contact with the cutter roller 72. The roller 72 is preferably formed as shown in detail in Fig. 15, being carried upon shaft 73 and being restrained against free rolling by the tension spring 74. A cutter 75 is passed through a slot or central recess 76 formed in the take-off roller 77. Thus the roller 77 is substantially abutting the cutter roller 72 and the annular -shaped recess or groove 76 in the roller 77 permits the cutter 75 to pass freely as the two rollers rotate in the direction indicated by arrows.

From the roller 75, the tape 69, which has now been v provided with a V-shaped flap 78, passes downwardly through the device indicated by the numeral 79 for folding the flap or tab rearwardly. The device 79 is provided with. a pair of guide plates 89 and 81 having at their top outwardly-flared flanges and being provided centrally with notches 82 and 83. A spring arm 84 is sccured by a screw 85 to the lower portion of plate 80 and is bent at its top to provide a presser finger 86 extending between the notches 82 and 83. As the tape 69 passes downwardly through the device 79, the presser finger 86 engages the tab 78 and presses it outwardly,

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as shown more clearly in Fig. 14. This causes the tab to engage positively the upper edge of the plate 81 so that the tab 78 is thus bent back upon itself by reason of such contact with plate 81. This structure provides a positive action which insures that the tab 78 will always be brought into engagement with the upper edge of plate 81 and folded back thereby as it passes through the device 79.

The tape 69 with the tab folded back as above described, next passes over the rollers 87 and 88. At the roller 88, the tape meets the moistened filament or ribbon 67 and the adhesive on the underside of the tape is moistened by the wet filament and the two are united as they pass around the combining roller 39. The tape with the filament therein then passes over the roller 90 and under the roller 91 so that it is drawn in a vertical plane upwardly and discharged from the dispensing machine 50. The portion of the tape extending above the machine 50 and applied to the carton 57 is designated by the number 54. A case 92 may be placed about the structure carried by the vertical wall 63, as shown best in Fig. 11, and the upper portion of the case may be provided with a slot 93 for the passage of the tape 69 therethrough.

The wall 63 may be, if desired, equipped with a supporting bracket 94 so that the filament-applying mechanism may be secured to a shelf or base. Thus, if desired, the filament-applying mechanism may be supported under a counter or shelf and the dispensed tape 69 may be discharged upwardly through the counter or shelf for application to cartons and for other uses.

In the modification shown in Figs. 11 to 16, inclusive, it will be noted that the parts are relatively few and arranged in a compact form, whereby it is possible to apply the filament to the tape and dispense the same in a very small area below a counter, shelf, or, in any desired compartment, etc.

The machine provides a series of rollers which furnish a travel area or distance, and this enables the adhesive elements to set up before reaching the dispensing device.

While I have shown gummed tape to which the moistener is attached, for certain uses it may be desirable to use ungummed tape or strips and secure thereto a gummed filament. For example, the moistening pot may contain adhesive instead of water or solvent. Further, the gummed tape may be contacted with solvent before application.

The roller 44 and the roller 89 may be freely rotatable, and in such event will be rotated upon the drawing of the tape 13 or 67 because of the frictional engagement of the tape'with the roller. Such an arrangement is quite satisfactory and particularly so where the tape is relatively On the other hand, the roller 44 and the roller 5. 89 may be rotatably driven through a small fractional horse power motor that will provide sufficient power to rotate the roller when the tape is being drawn thereover, but that will not be operative by itself to rotate the roller for feeding the tape through the machine. That is, the power driven roller will serve only as an aid in drawing the tape through the machine, and this arrangement is advantageous where heavy tape is used.

Ordinarily the motor, when used, may operate continuously and in such case the roller will rotate continuously. When a strain is not placed on the tape, as when drawing it from the machine, the tape will slippingly engage the rotating roller and will not be disturbed thereby. However, when the tape is drawn, it will tightly grip the roller and the roller then is operative to facilitate movement of the tape through the machine.

I prefer to provide a control for the motor drive roller 44% when such a drive is used, and the control arrangement may include means for guiding the roller 46 for generally vertical movement as, for example, by journaling the shaft of the roller in a pivotal arm 46a carried by the frame of the apparatus. Ordinarily, the roller 46 will be biased in its downmost position by its own weight or by a spring as shown. A microswitch 46b may be carried by the frame of the machine so that it is engaged by the arm 46a when the roller moves upwardly under the force exerted thereon when the tape is drawn. The switch will be arranged in circuit with the motor that drives the roller 44, and when the switch is actuated by the upward movement of the roller 46 the drive motor will be energized and the roller 44 rotated.

The same arrangement may be employed for driving the roller 39, and to control the motor drive for the roller 89, the roller 91 may be carried for vertical movement upon a pivotal arm 91a operative as above described. A microswitch 91b positioned in the manner hereinbefore described will control the operation of the motor.

The drive mechanism for operatively connecting a motor to the rollers 44 and 89 has not been shown for it may be completely conventional and readily provided by those skilled in the art. The entire unit may be synchronized to work with other electrically operated devices such as an electrically driven tape sealing machine.

While in the foregoing specification I have set forth certain structures and method steps in considerable detail for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be understood that such details of structure and procedure may be varied widely by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a filament tape-forming machine, a frame, means for feeding tape into said frame, a roller adapted to receive said tape and carry the same thereover and equipped with at least one cutter, a guide member having a slot therein adapted to receive said cutter in the rotational movement of said roller, whereby the tape fed over said cutter and between said cutter and guide member is severed to form a tab, means for pressing said tab rearwardly, and means for securing a filament to said tape in alignment with the opening formed therein by said tab but after said tab has been pressed rearwardly and on the side of the tape opposite the tab.

2. The structure of claim 1, in which said means for engaging said tab to press the same rearwardly comprises a pair of spaced members, between which the tape passes.

3. The structure of claim 1, in which a spring finger mounted in said frame in the path of movement of said tape is employed to press the tab laterally from the plane of the tape and in which a member is supported across the path of movement of the tape for engagement with the tab to fold the same rearwardly.

4. A filament tape machine, comprising means for slitting an elongated tape at spaced intervals 'there'along to form tabs, a spring finger mounted in the path of movement of the tape through said machine for engagement with said tabs to move the same laterally from the plane of the tape, and abutment means mounted in the path of movement of the tape for engaging each laterally moved tab to press the same rearwardly with respect to the path of'movement of the tape.

5. The structure of claim 4, in which a spring finger is mounted for resilient engagement with each tab to press the same laterally and in which a pair of spaced members receive the tape therebetween and press the tab rearwardly, said pair of spaced members providing said abutment means.

6. In a filament tape-forming machine, a frame, means for rotatably supporting a drum therein, cutters carried by said drum, a cutter guide equipped with a slot through which said cutter extends as the drum is rotated, said cutters and cutter guide being adapted to cut tabs in a tape advanced therebetween, yielding means for pressing the tabs formed by said cutters outwardly from the plane of the tape, means for pressing the tabs rearwardly with respect to the path of advance of a tape through the machine, a moistening device, means for feeding a filament through said moistening device and for bringing the same into engagement with a tape advancing through said machine at a point subsequent to the pressing of the tabs formed therein, and means for feeding said combined tape and filament to a dispensing device.

7'. The structure of claim 6, in which said filament is drawn between saturated wicks for the' application of moisture thereto and in which guide means is provided for centering the filament with respect to the tape to align the same across the openings therein formed .by said tabs.

8. In a method for forming filament-equipped tape, the steps of slitting the tape to'form tabs at spaced intervals, pressing the tabs outwardly from the plane of the tape and folding the same over toward the plane of the tape rearwardly, and aflixing a filament to the tape in line with said tabs but out of contact therewith.

9. The method of forming filament-equipped tape, cornprising slitting the tape at spaced intervals longitudinally therealong to form tabs, pressing the tabs upwardly from the plane of the tape and then rearwardly along the longitudinal axis thereof, applying a liquid to a filament, and attaching the filament to said tape along the bottom central portion of the tape and below said tabs.

10. The process of claim 9, in which the tape is equipped with remoistening adhesive and the filament is moistened to secure the same to the tab.

11. In a filament tape-forming machine, a frame, a drum supported therein for rotation and being adapted to advance a tape thereover, a cutter carried by said drum for slitting a tape carried thereover to form a tab therein, a cutter roll equipped with an annular slot for receiving said cutter, yielding means mounted within said frame for pressing a tab formed by said cutter outwardly from the plane of the tape, means for bending the tab rearwardly relative to the tape, a moistening device, means for feeding a filament through said moistening device and for bringing the same into engagement with said tape, and means for feeding said combined tape and filament to a dispensing device.

12. The structure of claim 11, in which the means for pressing the tab rearwardly comprises a pair of plates, spaced apart to pass a tape therebetween, and having aligned notches therein and a spring finger adapted to urge the tab into engagement with one of said plates.

13. The structure of claim 11, in which friction means are provided for retarding the rotation of said drum.

14. In a filament tape-forming machine, a frame comprising base members, a vertically-extending wall carried by said base members, a fount on one side of said wall, a moistening vessel on the opposite side of said wall, pipe means connecting said fount and said moistening device, means for feeding an adhesive coated tape through said machine and striking tabs therefrom, means for feedinga filament through said moistening device and into contact with the adhesive side of gummed tape fed through the machine to unite the same, and means for dispensing the combined filament and tape vertically through the top of the machine.

15. The structure of claim 14, in which clamping means are provided for securing the mechanism to a horizontal panel for supporting the mechanism under the panel.

16. In a filament tape-forming machine, a frame comprising a base, a vertical wall carried thereby, shafts mounted in said wall, a cutter drum mounted on one shaft, a guide member supported adjacent said drum, means for feeding gummed tape through said guide and about said drum to form tabs in said tape, a take-off roller supported on one of said shafts adjacent said cutter drum and provided with an annular groove adapted to receive the cutter as the drum and roller rotate, means for pressing the tabs formed in a tape rearwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the tape, means for feeding a moistened ribbon into contact with the gummed side of said tape following the rearward bending of the tabs thereof, combining rollers mounted on other of said shafts for receiving said tape and ribbon, and means for dispensing the combined tape and ribbon from said machine.

17. The machine of claim 16 in which said means for dispensing the combined tape and ribbon comprises a relatively large roller about which the tape and ribbon pass, and a guide roller adjacent the dispensing outlet of the machine and over which the tape and ribbon are drawn, said large roller being power driven and rotated continuously during operation of said machine.

18. The machine of claim 16 in which said means for dispensing the combined tape and ribbon comprises a motor driven roller about which the tape and ribbon pass, a guide roller rotatably supported for limited bodily movement when the tape and ribbon are drawn thereover in the dispensing thereof, and switch means actuated by the movement of said guide roller when the tape and ribbon are drawn for energizing the motor drive of said driven roller.

19. In a machine for attaching a filament to tape, a frame, means for feeding a tape element into said frame, means for feeding a filament element into said machine, means for depressing tabs from the face of said tape element, means for activating adhesive on one of said ele ments to cause it to adhere to the other with the filament oriented along the face of the tape element opposite the tabs, a roller about which said elements are wound in contact with said adhesive bonding the elements together, and a plurality of rollers within said frame for receiving said combined elements as they travel back and forth in said element, whereby said adhesive sets to unite said elements before discharge thereof from said machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS 1,592,431 Uttz July 13, 1926 2,107,462 Wood Feb. 8, 1938 2,259,752 Kimple Oct. 21, 1941 2,360,845 Bronander Oct. 24, 1944 2,614,523 Havemann et al. Oct. 21, 1952 2,638,145 Havemann et al. May 12, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 472,388 Great Britain Sept. 21, 1937 316,756 Germany Dec. 5, 1919 

